The final stop of this year’s “City and Cultural Development” College Exchange Program, the Macau rendezvous, was held at Choi Kai Yau College, University of Macau, from January 19th to 22nd, 2025.

The “City and Cultural Development” exchange program began in October 2018, initiated by Feng Ru College of Beihang University, Meng Xiancheng College of East China Normal University, and Choi Kai Yau College of the University of Macau. In the spring of 2019, Chongshi College of Xi’an Jiaotong University joined the program, forming a four-region college alliance. Students from these colleges travel to each other’s institutions in the east, west, south, and north of China for cultural exchange activities every spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Hence, the program is also known as the “Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Four-Region College Exchange Program.” So far, the colleges have visited Shanghai in spring, Xi’an in summer, Beijing in autumn, and Macau in winter.

On January 19th, students from the four-region colleges arrived in Macau and participated in various ice-breaking activities, including “Give or Gain,” reaction games, group challenges, and collaborative drawing of their impressions of friends from other groups. The evening was filled with joy, fostering harmony and deepening friendships.

During the four-day exchange, students visited the University of Macau campus, including the Currency Museum and the ISCG Gaming Laboratory, as well as various colleges such as Choi Kai Yau College, Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College, Cheong Kun Lun College, and Chao Kuang Piu College. They learned about the university’s holistic 4-in-1 education model and student-centered philosophy of whole-person education. Additionally, with the guidance of Studio City Macau staff, students explored Macau’s unique tourism industry, enjoyed the sea at Hac Sá Beach, and had a fun barbecue. The students were divided into five study groups focusing on College Education, Macau Culture, Macau Economy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Patriotism. Led by Choi Kai Yau College students, they experienced Macau from different perspectives, tasted local delicacies, visited World Heritage sites, and appreciated the city’s charm and history. The House Association of Choi Kai Yau College also organized a Spring Festival Garden Party and an escape room game to celebrate the Year of the Snake Spring Festival.

As the exchange program concluded on the fourth day, students shared their experiences and impressions of Macau at the closing ceremony. They reflected on the deep friendships formed and the memorable moments shared.

The closing ceremony was filled with warmth and sincere friendship. Despite the reluctance to part, everyone looked forward to reuniting in Shanghai in the spring, with smiles on their faces.

Text: Song Jiaqi